2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards Update

2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards Update

The New Zealander of the Year Awards office is pleased to provide the following nominations update for the 2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards.

• 371 nominations have been received for 2018 New Zealander of the Year.

• Support for former co-leader of the Green Party Metiria Turei has continued to grow since her resignation and she has received the most nominations.

• Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has received the second most. At the conclusion of the nominations period the Awards office will assess Mr Joyce’s eligibility based on his citizenship and other criteria.

• Other nominated New Zealanders for 2018 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year include:

o Kristina Cavit – founder and director of The Kindness Institute
o Grant Dalton – managing director of Team New Zealand
o Kelly Dugan – CEO and founder SmileDial NZ INC
o Mark Dunajtschik – philanthropist
o Heather Henare – CEO of Skylight and former CEO of Women’s Refuge New Zealand
o Dr Mike Joy – senior lecturer in ecology / zoology at Massey University
o Mike King – mental health advocate
o Lizzie Marvelly – musician, writer and activist
o Michael Meredith – award winning chef and co-founder of Eat My Lunch
o Kathryn Ryan – broadcaster
o Annah Stretton – fashion designer and founder of Reclaim Another Women
o Dr Ingrid Visser – founder of Orca Research Trust

After nominations close on 18 September 2017, a judging panel – comprising representatives of awards patrons, presenters, sponsors, community leaders and independent experts – will evaluate the nominations. The shortlist of 10 candidates to be considered for the New Zealander of the Year Award will be announced in December.

Comment from New Zealander of the Year Awards manager, Glyn Taylor:

“With three weeks to go, the nominations for 2018 New Zealander of the Year come from all fields of achievement and community service. It’s also not unusual for people of the moment to attract significant support during the public nominations period.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the expected upswing in nominations in these final weeks. The independent judging panel will then consider each nomination on how a particular individual has contributed to making New Zealand a better place to live”.

Other Categories

Nominations are also being sought for exceptional New Zealanders in the following categories:

• University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year (15-30 years)

• Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year (60 years and over)

• Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year

• Sanitarium New Zealand Innovator of the Year

• Mitre10 New Zealand Community of the Year

Background

The annual New Zealander of the Year awards are in their ninth year. They recognise, encourage and reward New Zealand's most vital asset - its people. They’re open to all New Zealanders and celebrate the contributions of New Zealanders from all walks of life.

The 2018 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year will be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala in Auckland on 21 February 2018.

Previous winners of the New Zealander of the Year Award are: Taika Waititi (2017), Richie McCaw (2016), Sir Stephen Tindall (2015), Dr Lance O’Sullivan (2014), Dame Anne Salmond (2013), Sir Richard Taylor (2012), Sir Paul Callaghan (2011) and Sir Ray Avery (2010).

More information on the 2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards is at www.nzawards.org.nz

ENDS

Award Categories Descriptions

The New Zealander of the Year
The most prestigious national award. It honours people for their contribution to the well-being of New Zealand. Proven, inspirational and passionate, these are the people that New Zealanders are proud to call their own.

Young New Zealander of the Year
These are the leaders of tomorrow who are already showing great promise. They are the ones who are striving to improve themselves, their communities and/or their nation.

Senior New Zealander of the Year
These are the people who have shown sustained excellence in their field. They are the ones with a lifetime of achievement behind them but are still actively involved in making the world around them a better place.

New Zealand Innovator of the Year
These are the game changers in their field. Those who have used their insight and their passion to make an impact. They are the ones who, in the spirit of Kiwi inventiveness and resourcefulness, have created a better NZ.

New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
These are individuals who have made a positive difference in their community. They show selflessness and determination to make a difference, sometimes in the face of personal adversity.

New Zealand Community of the Year
These are communities who display the best of community spirit. They have significantly contributed to the economic, social or environmental health of their areas or region. Their services have made a lasting impact on the community they serve.

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